Jade Bearer and the stack
Asked by Argy 6 years ago
There is a Jade Bearer and Kumena's Speaker on the field on my Opponent's side. The Kumena's Speaker currently has a +1/+1 counter on it, effectively making it a 3/3.
My Opponent casts a second Jade Bearer, and targets the Kumena's Speaker to get another +1/+1 counter.
With that ability on the stack, can I deal 3 damage to the Kumena's Speaker with Harnessed Lightning, killing it before it receives the +1/+1 counter?
If I can, since the trigger is still on the stack, can the other Jade Bearer that remains on the field now be the target to get a +1/+1 counter?
Sqrlmonger says... Accepted answer #3
I doubt anyone will see this but the accepted answer is not a full and complete answer to this question as it has been asked.
- When your opponent casts the second Jade Bearer they do not choose any target because the ability that adds a +1/+1 counter only triggers once it has entered the battlefield.
- Once the second Jade Bearer resolves and enters the battlefield its triggered ability will trigger and, before you or your opponent receive priority, that ability will be added to the stack at which point they will select its target, in this case the Kumena's Speaker.
- At this point with the second Jade Bearer on the battlefield and it's triggered ability on the stack and targeting the Kumena's Speaker your opponent will presumably pass priority to you in order to get the triggered ability to resolve. At this point you can cast Harnessed Lightning to deal the 3 points of damage necessary to kill it.
- If you do kill the Kumena's Speaker before the triggered ability resolves the ability will, when it eventually does resolve, detect that its target is illegal and be removed from the stack effectively countering it.
The above distinctions are important for competitive play because if you have an issue on this and call over a judge telling them "I responded to him casting the Jade Bearer." you may not like the result.
Fundamentally, it is key to understand the timing so that you can respond to your opponents appropriately and using the correct wording so that your action stands up to additional scrutiny from the judge staff.
Cheers~
May 6, 2018 6:32 a.m.
May 6, 2018 8:04 a.m.
Sqrlmonger says... #5
LOL - Ok then, I was wrong!
I take it there are notifications when a question gets a new reply?
Either way, I wasn't trying to steal pskinn01's thunder, the answer was correct it just lacked some information I thought people might find useful in competitive play.
May 8, 2018 6:51 a.m.
The info was appreciated.
Under the box where you write comments you will see a button that says "Unsubscribe".
Unless you hit that you will be notified of any new messages in topics you have started or responded to.
pskinn01 says... #1
Yes, you can kill it in response to being targeted. Once an ability with target(s) goes on the stack, the targets are chosen. They can only be changed by a spell or ability that lets you change it, like Redirect for spells that target. So no they cant change the target in in most cases.
January 28, 2018 9:36 a.m.